Good Work Never Ends

Good Work Never Ends Do we cram for a test, leave the packing for the last minute, or go to bed late without regard for being rested and refreshed for the day’s tasks ahead? Are we selfishly thinking only of ourselves or are we blatantly oblivious to those around us in need of attention, care or company? Jesus warns us to be ready for his return. We do know the hour or the day, therefore we must be ready. If Jesus came last month how would He have found you? If Jesus returned last night would you have been humanly and spiritually prepared? If Jesus chose this very moment would you be eager for Him to see you? Who then is His faithful? Blessed is you whom Jesus will find at work when He arrives." Good work never ends. Matthew 24:42-46 Jesus said to his disciples, "Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives."

The Fullness Of Life

The Fullness Of Life Is that smile we put on our faces genuine? Is our offer to help sincere? To know yourself better live out your measure of the gift of your smile and put your offer of talents and endowments to work. When among others talk about more than just superficial things. When situations call for action rather than words, step up. Look into the eyes of every individual you pass and encounter and see the eyes of Christ. You will never just smile or make an offer that falls short of genuineness, forgiveness, sincerity, compassion and love. Fill up, then, on what God has designed you to do and enjoy the fullness of your life, heart and spirit. Matthew 23:27-32 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, "If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets." Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors.

What Would Jesus Do?

What Would Jesus Do? What do we neglect? What can we practice without neglecting other important matters? When we place much attention on less weightier matters our faith may wane, our mercy may lessen, and the justice in our hearts may turn limp. It is always good to say upright things and to show our best. However, it is equally as important that these things depict what is truly in our hearts. We shouldn’t stop at what is expected from our family and friends. Always ask, “What would Jesus do?” Our hearts will lead us to do the rest. The Word of God Matthew 23:23-26 Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."

A Knowing Heart

A Knowing Heart We often see a grand self-seeking picture and forget what’s at the heart of our lives. Know when your heart is placing too much attention on what is temporary and is playing to your ego. Your heart, if it is in the right place, rejoices when it gives in the name of Jesus and always wants to give more. The Word of God Matthew 23:13-19 ‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. ‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Today Means The World To Your Eternity

Today Means The World To Your Eternity “I stood in line like they asked me and they let the others in who were dressed in their monkey suits!” We all know Jesus is coming again. This is not an event that anyone should take lightly. His coming may not seem to affect your today but it does. What you do today shows God what you think of your life. How you think today reveals how you appreciate your life, your gifts and God’s graces. Where and when you choose to pray reveals how much you trust in God’s presence, mercy and forgiveness. Today means the world to your eternity. Matthew 22:1-2, 8-14 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

God Knows Best

God Knows Best We often try to undo what God has done. We try to change our circumstances when all the signs show there is no way. We repeatedly ask God for the same things even when we know it’s not the best. Even in marriage we give in to divorce instead of working on our relationships forever. What God has joined together, what God has planned, what God does not spare, let no one separate, let no one think himself more powerful or privilege, let no one believe he knows best. You have the God, most high, most powerful, most compassionate and most loving on your side. Trust God. He knows best. Matthew 19:3-6 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?" He answered, "Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

My Soul Revealed

My Soul Revealed What does your soul magnify? Are you curt, forceful or unforgiving? Are you kind, generous, faithful? Mary said to her cousin Elizabeth, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Such a young girl filled with so much wisdom. Where will we get our wisdom? We all have access to the bible. We must read, learn and put into practice the ways of the Lord. We must, like Jesus, go to a quiet place, meditate, and pray. It is there in the silence that we will come to know God. When we feel confident there in quiet, we can take that confidence into the world and really live! Reveal to the world what a soul created by God should personify-holiness, compassion and love! Luke 1:39-42,46,53-56 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

The Value Of Time

The Value of Time “I can’t believe you won’t let me play, just because I was late!” “It would not be fair if I let you start now. The others have been here for two hours.” Take seriously the importance of being on time and prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Much on earth will be missed by one who is lazy, thoughtless or sleeps to excess. Much reward comes to one who knows the magnitude of spiritual morals, values, commandments, compassion and consideration for others. We have 1440 minutes in a day to change our mind, circumstance or path. How prudently we use our time is not put on the shoulders of another, but rather something we accept, bear and live out on our own. Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus said to his disciples, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Reaching Out

Reaching Out “I don’t want to be here anymore! I do well all the time, but all you do is pay attention to the one who is trouble!” Jesus teaches us that He was sent only to the lost sheep. “The well,” seem to require less of His mercy, healing and help but not less of His love. When you live with the heart of God, the eyes of Jesus, and the strength of The Holy Spirit there is no room for jealousy or competition. Be confident in who you are and what you do. Spend time praising the good in everyone and encourage them to be of service to others. Where you see need harden not your heart, but rather be understanding, thoughtful, supportive, and compassionate. Everyone is worthy of God’s love and blessings, even those who seem the most unworthy. God invites everyone to the banquet. Sit in the chair, and view yourself as His gracious co-host. When you realize your special position in life you too will reach out to the lost. Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Staying Awake

Staying Awake “I don’t care that its good for me. I don’t like how that feels!” Sometimes when we go into a quiet room seeking direction from Jesus and searching for God’s presence we may be afraid of what we will see and hear. God told Peter, John and James, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Listen to what God puts on your heart and see what He puts in your path. There is no need to be afraid. Like the disciples, we are encouraged to stay awake so that we may see his glory too. Luke 9:28-30,32-36 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

The Vocation of Giving and Receiving

The Vocation of Giving and Receiving “Someone else can feed her. I’ve got enough of my own that I am responsible for.” “My time is valuable. I don’t have to spend it helping those who should be helping themselves!” It is brash human nature to think that others, especially adults, should take care of themselves. It is selfish human nature to avoid helping someone in need because of a big ego, greed or laziness. It is not a blow to self-dignity to give or allow another to aid you. In fact, giving and accepting the blessing of another is receiving the gift that God worked diligently to prepare for you and someone else. When the disciples thought they could not help thousands of people with a meal, Jesus challenged them to use the resources that they had at hand and leave the rest to Him. Take time to look around you and see who needs help, attention and love. Pride-filled people will hesitate to ask for anything and may miss many wonderful miracles. What may start out as a challenge will become easier with persistence and regularity. Make it your life’s vocation to give humbly when and what you can and receive with thanksgiving a gift from the heart. Matthew 14:14-21 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Look Into His Eyes

Look Into His Eyes “She will never be successful. Look where she came from!” “We couldn’t be speaking about the same person. The man I know would never be so generous!” Sadly, it seems that we may often find people more receptive to who we really are outside of our homes. Strangers, co-workers have not had decades watching us grow. They have not been prejudiced by their own expectations because they have not been raised with us. We have more freedom when we are the new one in the group, free to bring our best to the table. We think we may know the characteristics and intimate details of those closest to us. It would serve us well to speak to others outside of our homes with those who have contact with our loved one or friend. We would be amazed at what wonderful things we find out about these people we believe we know so well. Jesus could not perform many deeds of power in his hometown because the people were in disbelief. Let us not be foolish and miss the great powers of God at work in our own homes. We all have many gifts and God uses our circumstances, personalities, hands and voices to do great deeds of power. If we can look into the eyes of our brother, sister, mother, father, spouse, child and friend and see the eyes of Jesus, there will be more honor and wonder among us. Matthew 13:54-58 Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house." And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.